up against it
In deep trouble
Up against it describes being in a difficult situation, facing serious obstacles or hardship.
The phrase suggests being pressed against adversity with limited options: With the rent due and no paycheck coming, we were really up against it.
Often implies financial trouble or time pressure, though it applies to any tight spot.
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- troubleDifficulty or distress
- in hot waterFacing impending punishment
- in deep waterFacing serious difficulty
- between a rock and a hard placeFacing only bad options
in a bind · in a jam · dire straits · crisis · crunch time · down to the wire · challenge · hardship · urgency · hard-pressed · back to the wall · misfortune · despair · tight spot · tough spot · helplessness · impediment · frustration
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
- pressureair pressure, blood pressure rise, blood pressure drop, barometric pressure, apply pressure
up against itsitting pretty
In favorable circumstances
in clover · on top of the world · riding high · in the clear · home free
up against itflush
Same suit, five cards
well-heeled · affluent · rolling in it · loaded · prosperous